The headphone-oholics are going against everything I know

[strube]

So I bought Denon AH-D2000 closed back headphones because my ears told me they were highly displeased with having the Shure SE420s crammed in them for 12 hours a day.

Needless to say, the sound quality kind of sucks, despite all the reviews to the contrary. I guess everyone who wrote a review seems to enjoy ultra-boomy bass. I was going to send them back but the guys at a scary and unfamiliar forum do this mod to them and all of the issues I have go away (and it makes sense). Fortunately, I already have all of the stuff and certainly the skills, so if I decide I am not worried about warranty voidage, I think I will do it.

Then I was reading this thread. Are these people serious? The amplification recommendation is sensible, fine, and dandy (though I don't ever intend to buy a $550 headphone amplifier...), but after post 14 things start to go south for my brain. They are talking about doing a $135 cable replacement mod and letting the phones burn-in for 450 hours (they even talk about letting new cables have break-in time somewhere, which I know to be ridiculous )...

I am not buying it yet. Headphones are speakers too so they are just spouting B.S., right? Or am I missing something subtle and judging these headphone-oholics too harshly?

 

[STRONGBADF1]

So I bought Denon AH-D2000 closed back headphones because my ears told me they were highly displeased with having the Shure SE420s crammed in them for 12 hours a day.

Needless to say, the sound quality kind of sucks, despite all the reviews to the contrary. I guess everyone who wrote a review seems to enjoy ultra-boomy bass. I was going to send them back but the guys at a scary and unfamiliar forum do this mod to them and all of the issues I have go away (and it makes sense). Fortunately, I already have all of the stuff and certainly the skills, so if I decide I am not worried about warranty voidage, I think I will do it.

Then I was reading this thread. Are these people serious? The amplification recommendation is sensible, fine, and dandy (though I don't ever intend to buy a $550 headphone amplifier...), but after post 14 things start to go south for my brain. They are talking about doing a $135 cable replacement mod and letting the phones burn-in for 450 hours (they even talk about letting new cables have break-in time somewhere, which I know to be ridiculous )...

I am not buying it yet. Headphones are speakers too so they are just spouting B.S., right? Or am I missing something subtle and judging these headphone-oholics too harshly?

Yo strube, That's a lot of mod! How long have you had them...Can you return them so you can use the money on a different set of cans?

 

[strube]

Yo strube, That's a lot of mod! How long have you had them...Can you return them so you can use the money on a different set of cans?

Definitely a good point - I am thinking about that option too, though I would kind of feel bad because I made Amazon give me $20 bucks back against their policies already because they dropped the price two days after I bought them.

I am certainly not going to spend any more money on these, but since I already have a boatload of Dynamat and polyfill it won't cost me anything to do the modding stuff, just time, which I incidentally don't have, I guess.

I was considering the return and purchase of these or these, but I obviously haven't decided yet.

One thing can be said for sure: I am a waffler.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

From our buddy in another thread:

You know you can get a $1000 pair of headphones and they still won't reproduce like a pair of Sony MDR-7506.These are $100 and I have used them on a few platinum recordings and countless studio sessions and live mixing.Its almost like you are wanting to pay more for a lesser product IMO.I have listened to $10,000 headphones and most all the Grado's.To me a reference listener I would not even waste my money on anything but the 7506's.I would really try to listen to a set if you could as I am sure you will enjoy them.To me the Grado's and the Sennhisers sound exagerated to me in the mid and the low end from 1k to 400hz is really "tubby"sounding to my ears,but I am a very picky listener and want the pure direct signal......hope this helps
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?raccs&1072737177&read&3&4

I haven't heard these...I do like my Sennheiser HD280pro's But I haven't listened to anything else...

 

[MinusTheBear]

There are some that make pretty bold claims over at head-fi. Anyways I have been listening to the Shure SRH 440 lately and they are a very nice closed back headphone for the price around $100. This is the mid model of their new line of headphones SRH 240/440/840.

 

[strube]

From our buddy in another thread:




I haven't heard these...I do like my Sennheiser HD280pro's But I haven't listened to anything else...

The only reason I didn't get the Sonys to begin with is my deep-seated hatred for all things Sony. Some would simply say "get over it."

At one point, I was going to get the Senns myself, but then I decided to get all fancy. I should have learned by now that more expensive doesn't always mean better, but it must be there in my subconscious somewhere, waiting to strike at a moment's notice so I buy some boomy Denon cans instead.

 

[corey]

The only reason I didn't get the Sonys to begin with is my deep-seated hatred for all things Sony. Some would simply say "get over it."

I agree. Don't hate Sony. Just use simple logic when making a purchase decision between Sony & any one else: Pick the company that put out fewer root kits.

 

[WmAx]

OP: cables, sources and amps are exactly as relevant to headphones as they are to speakers. You are correct in this sense. And exotic examples of cables, sources and amps have no real audible differences - just psychological ones or in some rare cases, purposely created COLORATION. I should add that some headphone amps have a feature called 'crossfeed' that helps with listening fatigue for some people. But you can find this feature on a wide variety of price ranges of headphone amps.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

The only reason I didn't get the Sonys to begin with is my deep-seated hatred for all things Sony. Some would simply say "get over it."

At one point, I was going to get the Senns myself, but then I decided to get all fancy. I should have learned by now that more expensive doesn't always mean better, but it must be there in my subconscious somewhere, waiting to strike at a moment's notice so I buy some boomy Denon cans instead.

Sony does have a few good items. They had the legendary R10 headphone, still treasured by many as being one the best headphones ever made. The build quality certainly was the best I have ever witnessed(though the sound was not exactly to my liking). They also had the very widely popular CD3000. A really good sounding unit, actually, with very good build quality and engineering. For whatever reason, they discontinued these models despite them being at an all time high in popularity.

Sony still makes the MDR-7506. This is one of the best professional phones on the market for broadcast and monitoring use in the field. It's build quality is also extremely high. It is one of the best phones for the price, period. There is also the MDR-CD900ST, a superb phone sold only in Japan, or through special importers in the USA. This is my favorite phone for portable use.

Then Sony has lots of junk.

-Chris

 

[Chatta]

I think headphones are like single drive speakers without any crossover. So just like any single drive speakers matching to the right amp is critical.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

So........what's the verdict?

 

[jamie2112]

So........what's the verdict?

Sony MDR-7506 or sony V-6 thats it for me........

 

[MinusTheBear]

Sony MDR-7506 or sony V-6 thats it for me........

Have you listened to Shures new line of closed headphones? The build quality, comfort and sound quality (this area is a bit more subjective though) is right up there with the Sony v6/7506 in this price range.

 

[jamie2112]

Have you listened to Shures new line of closed headphones? The build quality, comfort and sound quality (this area is a bit more subjective though) is right up there with the Sony v6/7506 in this price range.

I have not heard any of the newer Sony's.
I have listened to many "hi-end" headphones in my time and by far the least fatiguing and flat response have been the 7506 and the V-6.I will never need another set other than these.............

 

[MinusTheBear]

I have not heard any of the newer Sony's.
I have listened to many "hi-end" headphones in my time and by far the least fatiguing and flat response have been the 7506 and the V-6.I will never need another set other than these.............

I was referring to the new Shure headphones 440/840....nevermind

 

[jamie2112]

I was referring to the new Shure headphones 440/840....nevermind

My bad I saw the s and thought Sony........I will go check them out.I have a few pairs of custom ear molds (ultimate ears and futuresonics)that sound amazing but for reference I swear by the Sony's.The only other product from Sony I would buy is the PS3 as I think all their audio stuff sans the couple of headphones mentioned sucks.

 

[Alex2507]

Regardless of what they sound like I recommend these.

 

[Wafflesomd]

Stay far away from Head-fi.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Beyerdynamic DT770s.

Yeah, Head-Fi is nuts with 'modding' and all kinds of goofy equipment.

 

[Seth=L]

I think headphones are like single drive speakers without any crossover. So just like any single drive speakers matching to the right amp is critical.

This is no mystery, all you have to do is meet the power requirements with an amplifier that isn't garbage. That's it, no special mystical acoustic properties to match up AT ALL!

I've said my piece.